It packs a powerful punch, affecting your life in ways you most likely never think about. Its the pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. The court is important in the daily lives of pennsylvania residents, reviewing local and State Government matters, including litigation involving the state police and department of human services. Issues heard by the Commonwealth Court include voting rights, civil rights, tax appeals, collective bargaining decisions, eminent domain, unemployment appeals, and environmental protection. Joining me now are two of the local candidates running for pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, republican Christine Fizzano cannon, whose a judge on the Delaware County common pleas court, and democrat ellen ceisler, whos a judge on the philadelphia common pleas court. Thank you both for being with us. Christine fizzano cannon good morning, thank you. Rosemary so, first lets explain to viewers why the Commonwealth Court matters, and what the impact is on their daily lives. Christine well, it certainly does matter. Its a unique court in our country. Its one of two intermediate Appellate Courts in pennsylvania between the trial court and the Supreme Court. And while it doesnt sound that interesting to the average citizen when you describe it because it hears appeals of regulatory agencies and state agencies, and matters concerning Government Entities, the trickledown effect that that has on individuals and businesses and communities in pennsylvania is really tremendous. It can affect pennsylvanians on all different levels. Rosemary judge ceisler . Ellen ceisler well, first of all, again, it is a fascinating court. It is the only court, state court that exists like it in the entire united states. Any way that the government can touch your life could eventually end up as in the Commonwealth Court. And so, this court also has whats called appellate jurisdiction, so it wouldcases that are appealed from the local and county Government Agencies would end up in the Commonwealth Court. But the Commonwealth Court also has whats called original jurisdiction, which means the Commonwealth Court judges can actually be trial judges, and thats when they bring civil lawsuits against the state, whether its a state agency, the governor, the legislature. So, you sit as both the trial judge in matters civil matters and litigation against the state, and appeals from the counties on all issues related to government. So, the jurisdiction and the issues before this court are profound. They can affect every pennsylvanian with one decision, or they can affect an individual on a very basic and profound level. Rosemary lets talk about some specific examples, maybe pennsylvanians who think that their civil rights have been violated, or maybe that the government is overstepping its bounds in taking some of their property related to eminent domain. Christine one of the most significant areas that the Commonwealth Court handles are matters concerning Government Entities. So, the actions that the government has taken are seen by the Commonwealth Court and scrutinized by that court. So, the decisions that they make can then impact individuals. You had mentioned zoning issues. I have experience in land use as an attorney and also as a zoning hearing board. Thats one member thatthats one area that directly affects individuals in that it controls how they are able to use their property and what the zoning regulations are for their property. Theres also matters concerning municipal entities. I have been a municipal solicitor, a township commissioner, and a county commissioner, which has given me a Nice Foundation for this particular court because matters concerning Government Entities are heard by the court. But those matters that are heard, although they are directly concerning those Government Entities, will impact individuals, and certainly tax assessments and issues involving nonprofits, open records, liquor control, and so on. Ellen and think about your drivers license. Penn dot is a state agency. So, if youve lost your drivers license, you feel it was taken away improperly and should be reinstated, and you know a drivers license can make or break someone a familys livelihood. So, the Commonwealth Court would be pretty much the court of last resort if youre challenging the reinstatement of your drivers license. Professional licenses if youre a nurse, if youre a teacher, if youre a pharmacist, if you have any kind of state license for a profession and you believe that that was taken away from you, it would ultimately end up in the Commonwealth Court. Workers compensation and unemployment compensation. If you believe that you were hurt on the job and you didnt get a fair shake, or if you lost youryou were laid off, you know, you appeal through administrative boards, but ultimately if you feel if either the agencies or the individuals feel theyve been aggrieved, the Commonwealth Court hears these cases. So, any way that the government can touch your life in some form or fashion could end up in the Commonwealth Court. Rosemary especially if its touching your wallet, something that everybody is interested in. What kinds of high profile issues are currently before the court, maybe coming before the court if either or both of you is elected to this office . Ellen welldid you want to go . Christine go ahead. Ellen well, first and foremost, you know rosemary a polite forum here on nbc10 issue. Ellen i have tremendous respect for christine, for judge fizzano cannon, i always have. So, theres two very high profile cases before the court right now. One of them is the partisan gerrymandering. So, there was a lawsuit that was recently brought by the league of women voters and a number of other named plaintiffs, where theyre challenging how pennsylvania has district the congressional districts. So, that is a very high profile case that is before the Commonwealth Court. There was also the Education Funding lawsuit that was brought, where there were challenges to how we fund the very school districts, and whether that constitutional or not. Now, that case was before the Commonwealth Court, which just threw the case out basically on preliminary objections. It was appealed to the pennsylvania Supreme Court, who has issued very recently, i think it was about a week and a half ago, 2 weeks ago, an opinion which has remanded it to the Commonwealth Court, and will leave it up to the Commonwealth Court judges to now do extensive discovery and hearings on that issue. So, those are two key issues that are before the court. Christine and i think you make an interesting point too, ellen, that its not just the cases that are currently before the Commonwealth Court, but decisions that the Supreme Court makes as well that will make an impact on the future decisions of the Commonwealth Court. And weve seen that recently with the pratts case, which concerned Workers Compensation issues, and whether or not the American Medical Association was or was not the correct gauge for determining the impairment in a particular matter. And now were seeing the impact of that decision on the Commonwealth Court, and what impact it will have retroactively possibly in moving forward. Theres also very exciting issues in pennsylvania with regardingwith regard to Environmental Issues, and the constitution of pennsylvania as it relates to those, and the interpretation of that. So, recent Supreme Court decisions will trickle down to the Commonwealth Court, and then youll see some interesting things coming out of that court in the future. Rosemary Environmental Issues related to fracking . Christine theresthere is a recent case with regard to the constitutional amendment to the pennsylvania constitution with regard to pennsylvanians rights to clean air, and clean water, and so on. And so, that determination and whether or not a litmus test should be applied to that was recently decided in the Supreme Court. And so, now new matters coming for Commonwealth Court will have that law that will be taken into consideration. It may be fracking, it may be other issues. Rosemary two people can be elected to this court in the election. Could be one of you, could be both of you, could be neither of you. Whats your pitch to voters out there . First, in terms of why should they should go to the polls. As we know, voter turnout can be low in these elections that are not in president ial election years. And why should you be elected . Christine well, thank you for doing this today because it does increase the amount of information that people have going to the polls. I believe i have the experience, the ability, and the integrity to perform in an outstanding manner on the court. I have 23 years of experience as a Trial Court Judge, an attorney, and a special prosecutor. Im a Trial Court Judge now in Delaware County, where i have the civil division. Ive closed over 1,500 cases doing that, and i hear matters that are currently appealable to the Commonwealth Court. I started earlier to explain to you some of the background that i have, like being a zoning hearing board member, and previously being a township commissioner and a county commissioner. Those roles that ive had, have also given me a unique foundation for this particular court. Im also very proud that im the only candidate in the race whos received the highest rating of highly recommended for the Commonwealth Court by the Pennsylvania Bar AssociationJudicial Evaluation commission. And they indicated after their investigation that they believe that i was capable of outstanding performance on the court, and that i possess the highest combination of experience, ability, integrity, and demeanor for the court. Rosemary judge ceisler . Ellen well, again, i also want to thank nbc for letting us come on to the show because, again, most people dont Pay Attention to the judges. Were very removed from everyday society, and we should be as judges. So, its odd to run as a judge, its odd to run in a partisan election as a judge for all kinds of reasons. And so, any way we can get our names, and our positions, and our experience out there we appreciate. So, i am running for this court because i am, first of all, fascinated and passionate about the issues, and i truly believe that i can make a difference to individuals and pennsylvanians. My experience is that i have been a sitting judge for 10 years in philadelphia. I have had experience in the criminal division, the trial division, but i also sat for several years in an appellate capacity handling Commonwealth Court cases. All of the appeals of my countys Government Agencies i handled, so i became very familiar with the Commonwealth Court, and wrote quite a few opinions to the Commonwealth Court, so im very familiar with its jurisdiction and how it operates. Its a very complex court, where the judges need to be able to understand and balance state law, regulatory law, statutory law, constitutional law, common law, and its all mixed up. You know, it can be all combined, and you really have to piece it you know, put it together. Rosemary you touched on something in the beginning about, you know, being impartial on the court. And i think with any campaign, and certainly both of you are running campaigns, theres donations, funding, support. And so, how do you tell voters, look, if you elect me, i will truly be an impartial, nonpartisan person deciding these very important issues that touch, as you mentioned, your everyday life, certainly your wallet, and your livelihood. Ellen well, it is unfortunate that this is the system we have for becoming judges, theres just no way around it. But i do havei have been a judge for 10 years, and i can assure you that whatever i had to do to win an election willhas never for 10 years and will never affect what i do on the bench. And im proud of the fact that, after 30 years as an attorney and 10 years on the bench, the Bar Association found that i have an established reputation for independence, integrity, fairness, and thoroughness. Rosemary on that note, judge fizzano cannon, you get the last word here. Christine i think that its very important for people to understand, as a judge, i apply it now, will apply as a Commonwealth Court, the platform and motto that courteousness and respect is what everyone will receive in my courtroom. And that really goes a long way into making the litigant, and also everybody involved in the system, have a tremendous amount of trust and confidence in the system. I also will make decisions that are fair, impartial, and free from bias. I do that now in my position, and will continue to do that. Rosemary all right, judge fizzano cannon, judge ceisler, thank you both for coming in, really appreciate it. Ellen thank you for having us. Rosemary now, two other candidates are in the race, democrat Irene Mclaughlin clark, who is a former judge in the pittsburg municipal court, and republican paul lalley, a lawyer in the pittsburg area. There are two open seats, as i mentioned, so voters will choose two candidates on november 7. Next on nbc10 issue, our partners from factcheck. Org weigh in on the president s suggestion that Insurance Companies are getting rich on obamacare subsidies. Its information that could affect your wallet. Hes a husband, father, veteran. But most of all, hes a fighter. Chris brown has never been afraid to take on the big fights. Thats why he stood up to republicans and democrats alike to fight the north jersey casinos and the takeover of atlantic city. Chris brown is fighting to protect jobs in our region. A true champion for the working men and women of atlantic county. On november 7th, lets keep him fighting for us. Chris brown for state senate, hes on our side. Insurance companies have taken advantage of this country through the Affordable Care act, making a fortune. So, the president took a big step to stop it. But our partners at factcheck. Org say the president s comments are misleading at best. Nbc10s erin coleman has the details. Erin coleman its true, health Insurance Companies are making money. One industry Analyst Reports an increase in net income of 46 from 2015 to 2016. President donald trump says obamacare is one of the reasons. Bert farley thats misleading at best. Erin factcheck. Org says the Insurance Companies made money in spite of obamacare, not because of it. Bert insurers have lost millions, if not billions of dollars in those marketplaces. They got a little bit sicker than they expected pool of applicants. Thats why insurance rates have gone up so dramatically in a number of states. Erin in midoctober, President Trump made a stunning announcement, saying hed scrap critical costsharing subsidies to help Insurance Companies for lowincome people. Donald trump this is money that goes to the Insurance Companies to line their pockets, to raise up their stock prices, and theyve had a record run. Theyve had an incredible run, and its not appropriate. Erin the president pointed to four Insurance Companies seeing a rise in stocks. Bert two of those Insurance Companies, aetna and humana, have pulled out of the Affordable Care act marketplaces for 2018. And the other two have scaled back the number of states and counties in which theyre going to offer plans. Erin as far as the subsidies lining Insurance Companies pockets, not the case says factcheck. Org. Bert this is money that offsets the cost of deductibles for lowincome people. Theyre paid to the Insurance Companies to offset those costs. Insurance Companies Said that if the government cuts those off, which the president has since done, theyre going to have to rate